Given that any Wednesday out of the school year is particularly the same, this past Wednesday, May 5, Skyline campus as well as the rest of the world had something to celebrate.

The independence of Mexico is something that we rarely celebrate on the Skyline campus. To Mexican-American students, May 5 is more then just an average day, it’s Cinco de Mayo, a celebration of their people and of their heritage. Cinco de Mayo is celebrated through gathering with also the consumption of special foods, candies and also folkloric dancing. Folkloric dancing is a special type of dance to a fast paced rhythm. The women wear long decorative dresses, while the men wear white suits and also have a special dance with machetes. The lineage behind the holiday runs through the veins of Mexican students as they take this one particular day to rejoice to the world about their Mexican culture.

Latinos take this day in remembrance through party and celebration. Cinco de Mayo has progressed itself as a celebration for all people, not just Mexicans and Latinos. This year there is a special group on campus The Hermanos Club that is putting together a celebration on campus to involve students and staff whom may never heard of the event. It is very significant because in the past couple of years, the Skyline campus has not had a major event such as this one for Cinco de Mayo.

Many students on campus understand the meaning of Cinco de Mayo and its importance for other cultures to know. Skyline student Jasmine Renteria has a strong grasp of the history of Cinco de Mayo.
“I think it’s good for people to know that the Mexican army overpowered the French military,” Renteria said. “It’s important for people to know about Mexico and the battles they won, we should celebrate our culture because as Mexicans we represent a beautiful country.”

Celebrating the culture and the lineage behind Cinco de Mayo is very important to skyline students. Student Ranielle De La Roza understands that the celebration should also be family oriented. “Being partially Mexican, I know that I have strong ethnic background and I am proud to be Mexican,” De La Roza said. “I want my daughters to understand that our culture is very strong, Cinco de Mayo is a day that we should celebrate but understand why we are.”

Cinco de Mayo is more then just a celebration for Mexican students. It is a day were all walks of people come together to celebrate one another’s heritage. Student Shannon Salazar feels like it not a race issue; anyone should be given the chance to celebrate it.

“I’m not Mexican, but many of my friends are and they celebrate Cinco de Mayo,” Salazar said. “The Mexican culture is so embellished with family ties that it does not matter what race you are to enjoy this special day.”

Cinco de Mayo has been celebrated in this country for hundreds of years. Each year there are always people who have never heard of the holiday, it is always great to inform them of how special a day it is for Mexicans. The importance being that it made Mexico what it is today, a self ran country with no control from other countries. Each year it is celebrated to remember the Mexican soldiers who have risked their lives in order to maintain Mexico’s freedom.